The Stroke Risk Calculator - Coursework Example

The Stroke Risk Calculator Description of the tool With the probability of stroke risk in patient, the tool provides an opportunity for the user to calculate their risk probability of having stroke. The tool provides an analysis within a timeframe of 10 years (UCLA Stroke Center, 2015). Similar to most assessment tools, the stroke risk calculator provides analysis based on both general and specific health and social factors of a person. For instance, the tool considers the fact that men are a greater risk of getting a stroke more than women. The greatest determinant of the results obtained from the calculator is the age of a person. The user is placed in a particular age group and then their probability to suffer from stroke is determined. The results obtained are also based on the age group a person falls under. The rating results are provided in either lower than average, average or higher than average of a person in a particular age group. To analyze the stroke probability in a person, the tool enquires on several causing factors. Firstly, the gender of the user is required, the user is then placed in an age group. Questions on the health status of a person are requested. For instance, the tool asks on medical history of condition like diabetes, irregular pulse, fibro muscular dysplasia and transient ischemic attack (UCLA Stroke Center, 2015). Social factors like smoking are then analyzed. Target Population The elderly population is the most likely age group to be suffer from stroke. In an argument by Birkett (2012) the population is comprised of too many risk factors as influenced by aging thus a great stroke risk. However, the risk factors in older adults are significantly influenced by the lifestyle at a younger age. For this reason, the younger age groups are a significant target population as older adults. In addition, the risk calculator can be of great importance to younger adults than older adults. This is based on that risk causing factors in older adults are irreversible. In younger adults changes in lifestyle and seeking good health care may reduce the probability of suffering from stroke at an older age (Birkett, 2012). For the older population the tool may also be effective in analyzing their stroke risks status. Similarly to the younger age groups, older adults may also feel the need to change their lifestyle to minimize their stroke risk. For instance, an older adult may be advised to stop smoking or drinking due to a high probability of them having stroke. Generally, the tool’s target population is for person that record the slightest risk of having stroke in a period of 10 years. Description of your findings related to your own personal risk score From the results obtained from the tool, my 10 year stroke probability is 2.4%. The percentage is below the average rate for a person at my age group. In my age group, the average percentage is 3%. My results are compared to that of a healthy person in my age group. In addition, the status is also developed in consideration of my lifestyle. However, age is the greatest determinant. At this age group, stroke is not a common disease. The occurrence of stroke at this age group is majorly influenced by lifestyle and history of family medical conditions. If a person does not have extreme drinking and smoking habits, they have a low probability of suffering from stroke. In regards to my results, my lifestyle is healthier thus a lower than average result. In addition, the tool analyzed my previous medical records that would increase my stroke risk. My family has no extreme cases or incidence of stroke. This lowers my level of stroke risk. Moreover, I have never been diagnosed with diabetes which is a significant causing factor of stroke. Strengths/Limitations The main strength of the tool is its ability to accurately determine the stroke risk status of a person. Its accuracy is ensured since the tool uses facts obtained from the social and medical life of a person. For instance, the prevalence to smoking, and the diabetes diagnosis status of a person are used as determining factors. The tool is very easily to use as it enquires on personal issues that can be easily provided and determined. The tool provides results that are compared to the normal risk probability of one’s particular age group. This enables the user to understand their stroke risk at a specific age. The tool also can be used by person at any age group. The tool has a limitation in that it only enquires smoking as the social causing factor. However, other social activities such as drug abuse and binge drinking are significant causing factors. Additionally, the tool does not provide analysis based on the user’s family medical history. For instance, a person with a family history of diabetes patients has a high risk of suffering from the disease thus a high stroke risk (Birkett, 2012). Generally, the tool is not inclusive enough of all stroke causing factors, but rather bases its analysis on basic causing factors. Patient education that you would provide related to risk While working with a patient assigned to this particular disease, the tool would provide a significant learning experience. In an argument by Birkett (2012) patient education on a particular disease should be based on the probability of the disease affecting a specific group of people. From this knowledge, the student may be able to effectively understand the social and medical factors that may increase the proneness of a person to their assigned disease. In regards to the Stroke Risk Calculator, the student is effectively educated on the probability of stroke occurrence on a person based on their sex, age, smoking tendency, and medical history (UCLA Stroke Center, 2015). The knowledge provided by the Stroke Risk Calculator may also enable the student to understand on the alternatives available to reduce the probability of occurrence of their assigned disease. The tool identifies smoking as a great causing factor. From this realization, the student may develop the conclusion that cessation of smoking behavior greatly minimizes the stroke risk of a person. As the Clinical Nurse Leader, I would also increase the ability and tendency of both nurses and patients in using the tool to understand the patients’ stroke risk. Overall Impression of the Usefulness of Tool in Planning for Health Promotion As required from health promotional tools, their impact should be based on their ability to minimize the occurrence of a disease. This is done by providing information on how to understand and minimize the severity of factors causing the disease (Birkett, 2012). Additionally, tools enable the planning of ways to promote good health in regards to a specific disease. The Stroke Risk Calculator serves this purpose. The tool bases its results on the lifestyle and medical status of a person. From this knowledge, a patient is able to understand what is required from them to minimize their prevalence to suffer from stroke. For instance, regardless of the age group a person understand their smoking tendency increases their stroke risk. The tool also enables a patient to plan for way to promote their health to reduce their stroke risk. The tool should be used over time to enable the patient understand the trend of their stroke risk. From the knowledge, the patient would be able to seek medical aid or guidance to minimize the growth of their stroke risk. Additionally, lifestyle changes would be necessary to minimize the stroke risk. References Birkett, P. (2012). The Psychiatry of Stroke. London: Routledge. UCLA Stroke Center. (2015). Stroke Risk Calculator. UCLA Health. Retrieved from http://stroke.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=66 Read More